India team want London as new IPL venue

The Indian players are keen that the IPL be staged in London as they would get a feel of the conditions before the T20 World Cup.

Written by Press Trust of India

Read Time: 2 mins

Auckland:

The Indian players are keen that the Indian Premier League be staged in London as they would get a feel of the conditions before the T20 World Cup which is to be hosted by the ECB from June 5 to 21.

"It would make sense in having the event in England as it would help our cricketers prepare for the T20 World Cup. They could get a good feel of the conditions there," said team India bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad.

Interestingly, South Africa-born India coach Gary Kirsten said that Johannesburg would be freezing in May, when the tournament will enter into its conclusive phase.

Meanwhile Prasad said that he will join Chennai Super Kings as Assistant coach this season.

Prasad, who has drawn the best out of Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar, would assist former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who has been absorbed by the Chennai franchisee in the dual role of a player-coach. Mahendra Singh Dhoni had led the Super Kings to the IPL final in its inaugural season.

"I will be associated with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL this year. I am looking forward to work with Fleming and Dhoni," Prasad, who last year was a part of the Bangalore Royal Challengers, said.

The IPL is slated to begin on April 10, either in South Africa or England.